Vertical Entertainment is planning to release the supernatural thriller in theaters early next year

Vertical Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Participant Media’s supernatural thriller “Out of the Dark,” which stars Julia Stiles, Scott Speedman and Stephen Rea, the companies announced Monday.

Vertical is planning an early 2015 theatrical release for the film, which is a ghost story set in South America. Story follows a young family whose promising new life becomes terrifying when they’re forced to confront ancient legends, ghosts and a haunting family secret.

“Lluis Quilez, the latest in the wave of talented young directors out of Barcelona, did a wonderful job crafting a chilling ghost story with a powerful message, and we are thrilled to have Vertical on board to deliver it to audiences,” said King, Participant’s executive VP of narrative film.

“We are delighted to have our first affiliation with both Participant and XYZ Films”, said Vertical’s co-president Rich Goldberg. “‘Out of the Dark’ is much more than it seems on the surface. We think it will surprise genre fans with its ability to reach beyond just the scares and great storytelling, and have a thought-provoking motif that will stay with them well after they see it.”

Goldberg and Peter Jarowey negotiated the deal for Vertical with Nate Bolotin at XYZ Films and Jeff Ivers for Participant.